Association calls for ban of foreign artworks
NAN-ELS-1
Artworks
By Justina Auta
Abuja, Nov. 14, 2017 (NAN) The Association of Professional Creative Artists and Designers in Nigeria has called for a ban on the importation foreign artworks.
The FCT Chairman of the association, Mr Kehinde Dada, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, also said the ban should cover display of foreign artworks on public buildings in the country.
Dada said continuous importation of foreign art works had negatively affected the patronage of local artists and indigenous art.
“The importation of foreign paintings for the embellishment of Nigerian public buildings has completely ruined artists in Nigeria as a result of poor patronage,” he stressed.
According to him, the ban would encourage more patronage of local artworks, revive creativity and boost local economy.
“Government intervention in taking urgent measure to curb the menace will not only revive the spirit of creativity among the creative minds but also boost our economic growth,” the chairman added.
Dada also called on the Federal Government to provide financial and infrastructure support to members of the association to enhance their output.
“The federal funding to assist artists in the provision of fellowships, study grants, and purchase of needed materials still appears more on papers than in reality.
“Other rightful support for visual artists that should have ordinarily come from cultural parastatals and agencies that are saddled with the responsibility of promoting Nigerian Arts and artists are not forth coming,” he lamented. (NAN)
JAD/ABI/MZA
Edited by Inuwa Baba/Maharazu Ahmed